Patent GB-460652-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in calculating machines, tabulating machines, billing machines, adding machines and accounting machines
IPC: G06F7/44
Filed: 1935-05-01
Abstract: 460,652. Calculating - apparatus. WORMAN, M. May 1, 1935, No. 10106. [Class 106 (i)] A multiplying (or adding) machine comprises for each denomination of the multiplicand a multiplying, a carrying and a step-up or transfer unit, the multiplying units each comprising two banks of multipole switch bars representing values, and arranged in rows in two directions, so that selective operation of a switch of each bank makes an electric connection across the switches to close a circuit representing the product of the values of the two operated switches. The Figures show only the pence multiplying unit D, and the pence and shillings carrying units F, G which include the pence and shillings step-up or transfer elements F3, G3, of a machine for multiplying sterling values. The multiplicand is set up on key banks A for pence, and similar banks in the shillings, pounds, tens of pounds, &c. multiplying units, and the denominational digits of the multiplier are set up successively on a key bank B, units, a tens, hundreds, &c. key C being also depressed for the higher denominational digits. The machine is first zeroized by depressing a key H, which energizes the zero solenoids in all the multiplying and carrying units, which are so constructed, as hereinafter described, that energization of a solenoid actuates its switch which remains locked in position and releases the switch of the previously actuated solenoid. Assuming that the product of ú 175: 17: 11 multiplied by 723 is required the multiplicand is set up by depressing the 11d. key in bank A of the pence multiplying unit D, the 17s. key in the shillings multiplying unit and so on. The units multiplier key 3 in bank B is then depressed. The unit D comprises a bank of pence solenoids 1 actuating switch bars 2 and a bank of multiplier switch bars 9 actuated by solenoids 8. Depression of the pence key 11 closes a switch 5 to energize the 11d. solenoid 1 which actuates its switch bar 2 to close corresponding contacts 3. Multiplier key 3 closes a switch 6 to energize a corresponding solenoid 8 whereupon a circuit is closed from + ve across the actuated switch bars 2, 8 to output contacts 10, 10a, representing the value 2/9d. The output contacts lead to a tens multiplying unit E. Since a units multiplier key only is depressed at this time contact 10 is connected to the 9d. contact in unit E, the circuit then passing by the 9d. line 30 to the 9d. solenoid 11 of the element F<1> of the pence carrying unit F which comprises two banks of solenoid actuated switch bars 12, 13 arranged for adding. The zero solenoid 14 and its switch bar 13 being actuated, a circuit is now made over the zero switch bar 13, the 9d. switch bar 12 to the 9d. (i.e. 9 + 0) output contacts 15, over the 9d. line 16 to 9d. contact of the zero switch bar 18 of element F<2>, (comprising a single bank of switch bars), then over the 9d. contact of the switch bar 24 of the step-up element F<3> to the 9d. solenoid 14, and to the pence indicator over a line 23. The solenoid 14 is prevented from operating however by a trip device 35 until the multiplier key 3 in bank B is released, when the 9d. switch bar 13 becomes operative so that in the next stage of the calculation 9d. will be added to the value going through unit F<1>. In the meantime current from the 2 /- contact 10a flows by a line 31 to the second element G<2> of the shillings carrying element G where it energizes solenoid 33 to actuate the 2/- addition switch bar 32. Also, the shillings multiplying unit, has, in a manner similar to the pence multiplying unit D, energized output contacts corresponding in value to 17 x 3 shillings, i.e. ú2 : 11 : 0. The impulse corresponding to the 11/- actuates the 11/- switch bar 0 in element G<1>, a circuit then being made over the zero switch bar 40, 11 /- bar 0, 2 /- addition switch bar 32 and thus over the 13/- contact of the step-up G<3> to the 13/- indicator lead and to the 13/- solenoid 39 which operates when the multiplier key is released as described for the pence unit F. The ú2 impulse will actuate the ú2 switch bar in the second element of the pounds carrying unit and so on for the succeeding denominations. It will thus be seen that two elements F<1>, F<2>, G<1>, G<2>. . are necessary in the carrying elements F, G, ... , one F<1>, G<1>.. to deal with direct registrations from the same denominational multiplier unit, and the second F<2>, G<2>, to deal with amounts carried up from a lower denominational multiplier unit. Thus the element F<2> deals with pence carried up directly from the fractional pence multiplying unit. Transfer. Transfer is effected by the elements F3, G<3>, ... Since there is no denomination lower than farthings, the carrying unit therefor will comprise a single element similar to F<1>, transfer from which is effected by energizing the 1d. output contacts thereof corresponding to 15 in element F<1>, the transfer impulse energizing a solenoid to actuate the switch bar 24 of element F<3> whereby the input contacts 0, 1,.... 11 thereof are connected to output contacts 1, 2... 1/-, thereby adding 1d. to any value impulse passing therethrough. In the shillings and higher denominational carrying elements three step-up elements are required to take account of transfers from both the two elements such as F\ F<2>, and the step-up element as F<3> of the lower denomination. Thus, for example, the element G3 comprises three switch bars 63, 64, 65, Figs. 1, 4, actuated by solenoids energized from the transfer (1/- contacts) of the elements F<1>, F<2>, F<3>, respectively, the contacts of the three switch bars 63, 64, 65 being so interconnected that output contacts 66, 66a greater in value by 1, 2 or 3 than the input contacts are energized according to whether 1, 2 or 3 of the bars 63, 64, 65 are actuated. Multiplication by the multiplier 3 being completed, the next step in the calculation is to multiply by 20, for which the 2 key in units bank B and the tens key in bank C are depressed simultaneously. In the multiplier unit D output contacts corresponding to 11d. x 2 = 1 /10. will be energized but in the tens multiplier unit E a solenoid 25 energized by depression of the tens key C will have operated a switch bar 26 to connect the output contacts 27 of the pence multiplier to contacts 29. The energized contacts 29 will operate solenoids 59 the switch bars 61 of which will connect + ve on lead 62 to leads 30, 31 representing ten times the values of the energized contacts 27. The output contacts 27 representing 1/10 are energized in this case and therefore lines 30,31 are energized representing 18/4 which amount is set up in the pence and shillings carrying elements as previously described. The other multiplicand denominations are similarly multiplied by twenty and entered on to the carrying elements. The final step in the calculation is to multiply by 700. The units key 7 in bank B and the hundreds key C are now depressed simultaneously. The key C actuates a relay in the hundreds multiplier unit (not shown) whereupon the output contacts of all the multiplier units such as D are connected by means of a switch bar similar to 26 to contacts representing one hundred times their values which values are then entered as previously described. The solenoids e.g. 14, for actuating the respective bars of the switch banks are mounted in a row, Figs. 2, 3 and coact with spring biassed plunger arms 41 pivoted at 43. Each plunger 41 has a projection 44a which, when the solenoid is energized, rides over a cam 45 mounted on a spring biassed shaft 46 to release the plunger of the previously actuated solenoid before it locks itself in a recess 45a in the cam. For those solenoids provided with a delay action such as 14, 39, Fig. 1, each plunger 41 is connected by a lever spring 50 to an arm 49, 49a also pivoted at 43. The arms 49 coact with stops 55 on spring biassed bar 54 controlled by a solenoid 35 which is closed while any multiplier key B is depressed to lock the arms 49, 49a and the plungers 41 until on release of the multiplier key the stops 55 are retracted to release the arms 49. The switch bars may comprise alternate tubular insulating and conducting sections mounted on an insulating spindle, and their movement may be reciprocatory or both rotary and reciprocatory.